Playlistings in Toronto for the Week of April 4th

Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of April 4th

This week is particularly rich in cabarets and revues, but of course we have all the traditional fare as well: plays, musicals, table-reads and all sorts of theatrical ventures are playing in the city! I’m in charge of the picks this week, and I’ve highlighted those I’m most excited for in red under the cut!

Avenue Q by Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty (Lower Ossington Theatre). A college grad moves to NYC and copes with grown-up problems in this adult musical puppet play. Mar 10-Apr 3, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $50-$60. Show Info.

Caught by Jordi Mand (TPM). A teen caught shoplifting tries to persuade a female security guard to let him go. Previews Mar 31-Apr 3, opens Apr 5 and runs to Apr 24, see website for schedule. $17-$38, mat pwyc at the door. TPM Backspace. Show Info.

The Great War: The History of the Village of the Small Huts, 1914-1918, by Michael Hollingsworth (VideoCabaret/Soulpepper Theatre). Apr 1-May 14, see website for details. Show Info.

Hold Mommy’s Cigarette. Shelley Marshall performs her solo dark comedy about life, mental illness and survival. Opens Apr 1 and runs to Apr 10, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25. Show Info.

Princesses Don’t Grow on Trees by Andrea Scott (SSCT). A girl’s wish comes true, taking her to a fairy-tale land, in this play for ages 4 and up. Apr 2-24, Sat-Sun 11 am & 2 pm. $16. Show Info.

Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar (Mirvish). A Pakistani-American lawyer and his white American wife host a dinner party where – despite everyone’s liberal and progressive views – everyone is drawn into a conversation that reveals their “tribal” roots. Opens Apr 3 and runs to Apr 17, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm (and Apr 13). $39-$89. Show Info.

Downtown Manhatten – the Melting Pot. Soulpepper Concert Series presents a theatrical concert that explores the history and culture of the original neighbourhoods of New York. Apr 4 & 8 at 7:30 pm, Apr 9 at 2 pm. $25-$60. Show Info.

Killer Joe by Tracy Letts (surface / underground). A man decides to kill his alcoholic mother to collect insurance money and pay off his drug debts. Previews Apr 3, opens Apr 5 and runs to Apr 24, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm. $35, preview $20. Show Info.

We Three by Sarah Illiatovitch-Goldman (Cue6 Theatre/Tarragon Theatre Workspace initiative). Three university friends reunite but find that everything has changed in this drama about 4th wave feminism and being a woman in 2016. Previews Apr 3-6 Sun 2:30 pm, Tue-Wed 8 pm, opens Apr 7 and runs to Apr 17, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $17-$37. In the Workspace. Show Info.

The Assholes: A Cabaret (Theatre Smith-Gilmour). Workshop presentation of TSG’s exploration of Bouffon theatre. This productions mocks the hypocrites who are responsible for the stark inequality of wealth distribution in the world. Previews Apr 1-2, opens Apr 3 and runs to Apr 17, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $18.50, preview $10, Sun pwyc at the door. In the Studio. Show Info.

The Terrible Parents by Sky Gilbert (The Cabaret Company). This gender-bending take on family life looks at the secrets lurking in the shadows of a seemingly perfect 1960s family. Previews Apr 6, opens Apr 7 and runs to Apr 17, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. Pwyc-$37. Show Info.

Matt & Ben by Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers (Fancy Bits Theatre). All-female production of the play about the Hollywood golden boys before J-Lo, before Gwyneth and before anyone cared. Opens Apr 6 and runs to Apr 9, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $15. In the BackSpace at Imperial Pub. Show Info.

The Best Plan for Living Happily by Julia Lederer (QuestionMark-Exclamation Theatre/Birdtown and Swanville). A woman deals with an existential crisis in the wake of her best friend’s wedding. Previews Apr 7, opens Apr 8 and runs to Apr 23, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $20-$25. Show Info.

Lucio Silla by WA Mozart (Opera Atelier). The Roman emperor lusts after the daughter of his enemy in this early Mozart opera. Opens Apr 7 and runs to Apr 16, Apr 7, 9, 12 and 15 at 7:30 pm, Apr 10 at 3 pm, Apr 16 at 4:30 pm. $38-$191. Show Info.

August: Osage County by Tracy Letts (Alumnae Theatre). A family must confront its secrets when its alcoholic patriarch disappears in this darkly comic drama. Opens Apr 8 and runs to Apr 23, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, Wed 2-for-1, Sun pwyc. Show Info.

Consolation by Charles George (Wishing Well Players). A hospitalized woman can’t get the peace and quiet she needs in this short comedy play. Opens Apr 2 and runs to Apr 9, Fri-Sat 6:30 pm. $25 (dinner and show). Show Info: 416-497-6216.

The Addams Family Musical by Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice and Andrew Lippa (Alexander Showcase Theatre). This musical comedy is based on the TV series about the ghoulish, quirky family. Opens Apr 8 and runs to Apr 16, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $32, stu/srs $27. Show Info.

Mahalia Jackson Broadway Musical Play (Lavarious & Co/Kaleo Productions). Musical tribute show about the life and music of the singer/civil rights activist also known as The Queen Of Gospel. Apr 8-9, Fri 8 pm, Sat 3 & 7:30 pm. $25-$40. Show Info.

Golden Flamingo Revue. Vintage Vegas show experience with a classic burlesque twist w/ Pastel Supernova, Esther De Ville, Laura Desiree, Dolly Berlin, plus guests Kitten Monroe, Kassandra Love & others, live musicians and more. Apr 8 at 10:30 pm (doors 9:30 pm), followed by after party with DJ Misty. $25-$35. VIP $45. After Party may be attended without show ticket, cover is $10 at Door from midnight-2am. All Show Tickets include the after party. Show Info.

Objects Lie on a Table. Workshop performance of Gertrude Stein’s 1922 play featuring members of the University of Toronto drama community. Apr 2 at 2 pm, Apr 10 at 7 pm. Free. In Justina M. Barnicke Gallery. Show Info.

Toronto Cold Reads. Incubator reading series for new film, TV and theatre scripts read by professional actors. Weekly, Sundays at 9 pm. Pwyc. 2nd floor. Show Info.

A Rhapsody in Gershwin. Harold Green Jewish Theatre presents a company fundraising concert highlighting some of the greatest Jewish composers and lyricists. Apr 10 at 7:30 pm. $25-$180. Show Info.

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings